Marinette's  POV:

  Four days ago, Adrien watches Bethany for me.

  She wonders if he thought of the idea on his own or had some help.

    How can she be sure?

    She sighs.

      "Bethany?"

Bethany's  POV:

"Yes, mom?"

  She peeks her head around the corner.

  She can tell something is on her mom's mind. 

  Why else did she call for her?

    It is has been days since her illness.

    Goodness, it is nice to be better.

  Marinette's  POV:

  " How about you and I go for a girl's night?"

   "Mom, your phone is buzzing."

      Marinette picks up her phone. She frowns at the number.

       She answers it while Bethany looks on in wonder.

       Bethany's  POV:

       She watches her mother speak into the cell phone.

        Who dares to trouble her mom?  She can tell by the hurt look whoever it is on the other end has bad news or something worse.  Why can not they leave her alone?

          "Mom, is everything alright?"

         Marinette's  POV:

           She feels her blood boil.

          How dare he call now?  The two barely have a chance to adjust to life alone, and now this happens?   Her late husband's father expects her to let him take over his granddaughter's life. 

           "No, you have some nerve calling here.  I will never let Bethany stay with the likes of you."

          She hangs up and sobs.

             "Mom, is everything alright?"

          She hears the concerned voice of her daughter ask once more.

             "It is going to be Bethany."

                She hugs her daughter close.

                Adrien's  POV:

              Adrien rings the doorbell to Marinette's place.  Was it a bad time to come?

           He frowns and is about to step away.

               "Mom, Mr. Adrien is here!"  He hears a voice call from inside.

                 "Did you say, Adrien?"

                 "Yes."

                Marinette opens the door.  "Please, come inside."

             Adrien nods his head. At least she is not angry with him for dropping by spare of the moment. 

               "I know it is probably horrible timing, but I came to see if you are ready for that luncheon."

          Marinette's  POV:

            "Ah, yes, the meal you owe me in exchange for watching Bethany."

            "I will be right there."

         Adrien chuckles as she slips shoes on,  plus a jacket, and grabs up her purse.

          "Ready?"

          "Yes."

             "Marinette, you two have fun!"

            She turns around and sees her folks standing there with knowing grins across their faces.   

             Adrien's POV:           

             Adrien sees Marinette blush.

            He has no idea what brought that on, but he likes it.

              He grabs her hand.  He pulls her towards his car.

                Once there, he drops her hand. He does not notice when she feels a sense of confusion over the loss of warmth from his touch.  After she sits in the passenger side of his vehicle, he waits for her to put on the seat belt.  He drives off once he is sure both front doors are shut.

              He does not dare to break the silence. He feels like Marinette should have a chance to relax once in a while.  He pulls into the small diner and parks next to the entrance.

            He opens the car door for her.

      Marinette's  POV:

   Marinette smiles. The cafe appears to be deserted. Then, again who can be sure?

    She gets out with her purse now slung over her shoulder.

       "Thanks, Adrien."

        She hears the car door close. She and Adrien wait to be seated once inside.

       The Waiter's  POV:

        "How many, Miss?"

            "Two, please."

          "Ah, right this way."

          The waiter leads Adrien and Marinette to a small, cozy booth.

         He hands out the menus.  "Take your time placing the orders."

       Adrien's POV:

       "I will have the water and slice of pizza with pepperoni and black olives."

         "How about you, Marinette?"

           He sees she has not set the menu down.

         "I think she needs more time to decide."

            The waiter walks off.

           Marinette's POV:

       She decides on the milk. She is not sure what food to pick.

        She looks over the menu once more. She settles on the hotdog.

        "Waiter, I would like the hotdog, all the way with no chili, and a milk."

        The waiter jots the order on a pad and winks.

         Adrien's POV:

         Adrien scowls. He does not like the way the waiter looks at her.

        Not to say he blames him.  Marinette is beautiful.  He knows he is breath taken with her. 

         "Marinette, why is there anger in your eyes?"

           He sees her shake her head in denial.

           "Please, do not lie to me."

         Marinette's POV:

        "My father-in-law, he wants to take Bethany away. He thinks I am not suitable for her."

         She sees the shocked look Adrien gives her.

        She continues, "He never agreed with my marriage to his son, so it is a way to get back at me now that he is gone.  I know it is cruel, but I can not let him take her."

         "Marinette, look, I will not let him take her."

          Marinette feels Adrien rub his fingers across her knuckles. The gesture makes her relax.

           She looks up to see the waiter has returned with their food. She blushes.

           The waiter's  POV:

            He does not say a word as he serves them.

           He is not too happy to see the man has not left her side.

            To bad because he can tell the woman has no idea about her friend's real feelings.

              He hands out the napkins, straws, glares at Adrien, and walks away.

              Narrator's  POV:    

              The rest of the luncheon went well. Adrien said the blessing, they both ate.

           After the meal, Adrien pays for it.  Marinette does not argue. She sees no need to.

                 The waiter takes a few photos of the car. He frowns.  The license plate barely shows in the photo.     He is not too thrilled that his job comes to this.  Why does his client want him to follow her anyway?  He was not told how attractive she is.

            Adrien's  POV:

            After lunch, Adrien takes her home. He does not want to push her too far.

          He hands her the purse before she forgets it in his car. 

            "Thanks, Adrien."

            "Marinette, I am glad we got to have lunch."

                He sees her wave at him.

                "Me too."

              He watches her go inside and pulls away from the place. He goes home glad to have gotten to spend time with her.

                Tom and Sabine's  POV:

             "Marinette, how did it go?"

                "Mom, Dad, it was just a luncheon, among friends."

                  "Whatever you say, Marinette."

               The two hugged Bethany, then Marinette. They both believe Adrien Agreste is such a gentleman to Marinette. 

                Bethany's  POV:

                "Mom, you are back, so soon?"
 

                "Yes, Bethany, it was only lunch."

                    "Mom, goodness, you should have let him treat you to dessert."

              She knows Adrien is good for her mother.
               

                 Find out more in Chapter 12

                  bye, bye little owlets!

                  -Summer out!